NEW YORK — U.S. stainless consumption and imports rose year on year in October, increasing 13.7 percent and 12 percent, respectively, according to data from the Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA).

Domestic consumption of all stainless products totaled 196,124 short tons for the month, up from 172,490 tons in October 2011. Total imports reached 64,592 tons, up from 57,666 tons in the same comparison.

Stainless steel and strip recorded the most notable gains, with consumption totaling 138,777 tons in October (up 16.7 percent from 118,894 in the same month in 2011), while imports reached 36,692 tons (up 17.4 percent from 31,264 tons).

Stainless rod also recorded marked percentage increases, with consumption rising 26.1 percent to 5,887 tons and imports gaining 35.1 percent to 2,503 tons in the same comparison.

Meanwhile, alloy tool steel imports declined 11.9 percent to 8,310 tons from 9,434 tons in October 2011, and electrical steel imports fell 10.8 percent year on year to 9,555 tons from 10,710 tons.